The "Bum" installation in July 2008 was my last post and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, but it is my intention to resume regular posts. So this short note is just to let friends and colleagues know that I am still in the land of the living and hopefully I will continue to project a very positive image of my favourite city, Edinburgh

Photos Now Posted

There is a slideshow of photos from the events of Bum's installation here in Edinburgh on the right side of the BLOG now. If you wish to see them a little larger simply click on the photo and you will link to the Picassa site where the slide show is held.

Enjoy!

And a Good Time Was Had By All

The installation of Bum last weekend here in Edinburgh was an unqualified success. Saturday morning dawned clear but soon clouded over and the bucketed down until half 11, but then the rain began to clear. While the wind pushed back the clouds a crowd of 75 gathered in the Lindsfarne room at St Cuthbert's Kirk for formal greetings and presentations.

Councillor Alistair Paisley officially welcomed the delegation from San Diego; former Lord Provost Eric Milligan spoke eloquently on the coincidences that unite our two cities; Chrissy Ambler reminded us all of the festivities that had marked the installation of the statues in San Diego; Wendy Lucas-Meyer shared a letter from San Diego's Mayor, Jerry Sanders; and Daniel Haslam spoke on the Gas Lamp Quarter's on-going efforts including the lovely Bobby and Bum themed gifts now available in the gift shop and Steve Powers presented the plaque that he and E Clampus Vitus had prepared which will be placed with the Bobby display in the Edinburgh Musuem in the Canongait. Official gifts were exchanged, hands were shaken, speeches were made and Bobby and Bum's praises were sung.

Waiting downstairs in the kirk foyer were the official honour guard for our day - the Skye Terrier Association - the owners in period dress, the dogs brushed and looking their best ready to proudly lead us from the kirk to the statue. After all the speeches were done we joined a queue behind two pipers and the dogs and took our wee walk. The wind had done its job and the rain had cleared so as we emerged from the kirk it was to a blue sky and balmy weather. After a short walk through the West end of the Princes Street Gardens, past the Ross Fountain and across the bridge we arrived at the statue's site. The statue itself, and the plaque behind it had been draped with the American and San Diego flags respectively and surrounded with flowers - all looked extremely festive. A couple of short speeches later and the flags were off - Bum was officially home here in Edinburgh. The children immediately moved in, wishing to pat him and to climb upon his broad back. The terriers were also quite curious and the flashbulbs were popping! We broke for lunch then, with promises to meet up later for our dinner reception at the City Chambers.

Six thirty came before we knew it and many of our friends from San Diego proved eager beavers so the joint was jumping from the get go! About 45 friends and neighbors joined us for the evening's festivities. The servers kept the wine pouring, dinner was served and conversation flowed. After dinner I was pleased to take a group on a brief tour of part of the city chambers, pointing out the keys to the city and the paintings in the European room, as well as the councillor's lounge. Back in the main hall it was time for the evening's entertainment to begin. Chip and Eddie Clark started things off with a couple of old Scottish stories retold with audience participation, and then Louise Millington and her band Cantara took the stage to the delight of all. We danced the Gay Gordons, we Stripped the Willow, and immersed ourselves in the music. I made a special request for Flowers of the Forest, taking a moment to tell the story of the tragedy of Flodden Field. The evening whirled away on the wings of the music and all too soon it was time to say goodnight.

Sunday morning we met at 10:45 to take a bus tour of Edinburgh, beginning in the Calton Hill graveyard where there is a statue of one of America's most famous Presidents - Abraham Lincoln. Then it was onto the bus for a drive over Regent Terrace and into Holyrood Park - up the back of Arthur's Seat to see the singular views over the Forth and then, as you come around the hill the city herself. We saw Craigmillar Castle and then were off to South Queensferry to see the famous bridges of the Forth - road and rail.

After our bus tour we ended the official functions at The Albanach, a lovely pub on the corner of the High Street and Cockburn. The conversation was every bit as animated at the pub as it had been at the ceilidh the evening before and we were sad to see it come to an end. But 11 of the group from San Diego needed to leave for Glasgow so needs must.

We parted company with a feeling of accomplishment and good will. The Brotherhood of Dogs is at last a complete reality. For years to come I predict that this will be a common photograph, both here in Edinburgh and in San Diego's Gas Lamp Quarter:

The Event is upon us!

We are in the throes of final organization, arranging pipers, entertainers, luncheon menus, goodie bags, tours buses and the like. We have great activities planned and anticipate that a great time will be had by all!

Here is the itinerary for the installation:

Edinburgh/San Diego Sister City Association
Presentation of Statue of San Diego’s Town Dog Bum to the City of Edinburgh
1200 Saturday 19 July 2008
Unveiling Ceremony in West Princes Street Gardens

AGENDA

1145 Assemble in St Cuthbert’s Church Hall (West End of Princes Street)

12 Noon Introduction by John Wilson – President of Edinburgh/San Diego Sister City Assoc.

Councillor Alistair Paisley – A Welcome to the City of Edinburgh

Mrs Chrissy Ambler – President of San Diego/Edinburgh Sister City Society

Mrs Wendy Lucas-Meyer – Co-ordinator San Diego Sister City Society

Mr Daniel Haslam – Director of Development San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Historical
Foundation

Mr Steve Powers – Representing E Clampus Vitus, John P Squibob Chapter 853

Mrs Margaret McDonald-Cross - Skye Terrier Association

1230 Assemble at the rear of the church. Parade will proceed led by Skye Terrier Assoc
In Period dress along top path in Princes Street Gardens, continue down to the
Ross Fountain, over the railway bridge to the installation site.

1300 Mrs Chrissy Ambler and Mrs Wendy Lucas-Meyer will unveil the statue of Bum

Later Saturday evening we will gather in the Historic City Chambers building for a recpetion, dinner and a good old-fashioned ceilidh!

Then Sunday we will take a bus tour of Edinburgh and the environs including the Forth Road and Rail bridges followed by a traditional Scottish Luncheon.

All in all a busy weekend is planned and excitement levels are high here in Edinburgh. I look forward to posting pictures and an update on the events as they happen.

ALMOST THERE, JUST ONE MONTH TO GO

DATE: Saturday 19th July - VENUE: West Princes Street Gardens -

EVENT: Installation of a statue of San Diego's beloved Town Dog BUM

Everything is all set for the big day. The crated statue should arrive by the 27th June and will be placed in the very competant hands of the Powderhall Bronze Foundry.


St Cuthbert's Church Hall is the assembly point where at 12 noon the preliminaries (speeches etc) will take place. The parade, to the unveiling site, will commence at approximately 1230 led by the Skye Terrier Association in period dress and their dogs. We welcome everyone, especially youngsters, to bring their dogs along and join in the fun.


Unfortunately dogs are not allowed within the Church, anyone who wants to listen and see the opening ceremony will have to arrange to have their pet cared for outside.


As I said earlier Bum's final resting place would not have been my choice, but the more I see it the more like the venue. All I have spoken to and those who have seen the site have been very positive in their comments. The statue will be protected at night within the closed gates of the gardens, the area has undergone considerable refurbishment and looks very attractive. Instead of the two dogs being together they are situated at either end of Greyfriars Bobby's traditional patch which of course was the Grassmarket and that particular locus has also received a massive makeover that will attract not only Edinburghers, but the many thousands of tourists who visit this city every year. Yes, it is walking distance between the two dogs but rest assured, Bum will get plenty of attention.

The success of this venture has been the collaboration of many individuals talents in both Edinburgh and San Diego, but I want in to thank in particular the support and assistance of Elaine Ballantyne Edinburgh Council's External Relations Manager who co-ordinated meetings with the City of Edinburgh officials without whom the event would not have taken place. My sincere appreciation to them all.

Portrait of Two Artists

Two dog sculptures - means two sculptors. Here is some information on the two:

Greyfriar's Bobby

William Brodie

(1815-81)

The son of a Banff shipmaster, and brother of sculptor Alexander Brodie, he worked as a plumber in Aberdeen before moving to Edinburgh in 1847 to study sculpture at the Trustee's School of Design, c. 1851-3, then studied in Rome under Laurence MacDonald. Returning to Edinburgh, he established a successful practice specialising in portrait busts, public monuments and architectural sculpture.

For Glasgow, he executed the statue of Thomas Graham, George Square (1871-2); a marble statue of John Graham Gilbert, Kelvingrove Art Gallery (1870); and the statue of the Young Scholar on the former Buchanan Institute, Greenhead Street (1873).

In 1872, he carved a statue of St. Andrew for the City of Glasgow Assurance Company, 28-36 Renfield Street, as a companion to G E Ewing 's St. Mungo, but these were lost in 1929 when the building was demolished.

In 1875, he was one of three sculptors invited to submit designs for Glasgow's David Livingstone Monument (for George Square). Although unsuccessful, his model is now displayed at the David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre.

His funerary monuments in the city include the John Graham Gilbert Monument, designed by Charles Heath Wilson and David Thomson, Necropolis (c. 1863); the bronze relief portrait of Rev. Duncan Macfarlan, Necropolis (1860); and the 71st Highland Light Infantry Memorial, Glasgow Cathedral (1863).

He also provided Edinburgh's cemeteries with some of their finest monuments and portrait reliefs and busts. These include the Classical mausoleum in Dean Cemetery for James Buchanan, the founder of the Buchanan Institution in Glasgow, for which Brodie carved the statue of the Young Scholar. For the mausoleum he produced a colossal bronze bust and a bronze door with a relief of a female mourner. Other works nearby are the monuments to the engineer Robert William Thomson, with a portrait medallion (1873), and the fine monument to the painter Sam Bough, which also features a huge portrait madallion (1878).

Amongst his other commissions for public sculpture are: the statue of Prince Albert, Perth (1864); the statue of Amy Robsart on the Scott Monument, Edinburgh (1881) and Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh (1872).

Exhibiting work at the RA , RSA and RGIFA , from 1847, including a bust of Queen Victoria for Balmoral (1868), he was elected ARSA , 1857, RA , 1859, and served as Secretary of the Scottish Academy, 1876-81.

Brodie died in Edinburgh on 30 October, 1881, and was buried in the city's Dean Cemetery.

San Diego's Bum
Jessica McCain

If variety is the spice of life, then Jessica McCain is a satisfied artist. The subjects that appeal to her are a broad range from still life to landscape to figures. Variety is not only apparent in the subjects she paints, but also in her technique. She is also equally adept at sculpting, and has done quite a few monumental size bronzes, some are in public art collections.

To look at one of Jessica McCains` paintings one can see a wintery painting that looks cold and desolate, sunshine that seems to burn hot, figures lonely, proud or shy are somehow mysteriously conveyed. Surface magic is done with the brush to manipulate color, edges, texture, line and shapes. These visual elements that create a dialogue between themselves is basically trickery with paint.

"For me, art is a personal communication between the artist and the viewer. Sometimes the message is badly transmitted; but then there are those moments when art is glorious in theme or composition or both, leading to something beyond the painting itself. The real essence of a painting is not the subject matter, my paintings are not about exact portrayal of detail. I use exaggeration where appropriate and take a lot of license. Intuition plays a big part in my paintings, I have learned to trust this, and recognize it`s significance, for often it is this intuition that is chasing that elusive mood that is essential for a successful painting. I have learned that technical skill must be mastered to transfer your aesthetic to canvas, but it is the emotion and intuition that go in to it that make the painting art."

Born in California, raised in Alaska, art has occupied McCain for most of her life. She was taught sculpting and painting by her father, and continued education at the Art Students League, Old Lyme Academy, and has ongoing lessons at the Scottsdale School of art. Education is an ongoing thing, and drawing classes are still part of her routine. Today she lives in Tucson Arizona and paints in her studio beside her home. When the summers are too hot, she takes off for California, for a milder climate.

Princes street Gardens, here we come!!

Apologies first. On a previous post I referred to East Princes street gardens as the site for the installation of the statue of San Diego’s dog. I should have said WEST Princes Street Gardens, and that is where the ceremony will take place.

We are now 99% certain that the event will take place on Saturday 19 July commencing 12 noon within the West Princes Street Gardens just inside the King’s Stables Road entrance. This area is undergoing considerable renovation, will be particularly attractive, and compliment the upgrading taking place in the Grassmarket.

A number of visitors from San Diego will be in attendance, including we hope Jessica McCain the Artist responsible for the statue.

We applied for the use of the Ross Bandstand in the gardens for the preliminaries leading up to the unveiling of the statue, unfortunately it is unavailable, but it is possible we may be able to hire a hall in St Cuthbert’s Church next door. That will probably be better especially in the event of inclement weather.

There are a few small details to work out, but the planning is moving along nicely. We plan on a splendid party for all concerned!